Dodgers demote Ward to Las Vegas

Thursday, July 24, 2003 | 8:32 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

LOS ANGELES -- Daryle Ward may be making $1.35 million this season, but that wasn't enough to keep his spot on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster.

He was optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s Wednesday night after he hit just .183 with one double and nine RBI over 109 at-bats. Ward declined to comment as he packed his bags.

"He's going to have to earn his way back," Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. "The sense I got from him was that the effort would be there without question. Everyone in this organization believes in his bat. The door is not closed for him.

"We needed to make a move like this to get his bat going. It was not an attention grabber. We don't work that way."

The Dodgers got Ward in a trade with Houston in January. Ward hit 12 home runs with the Astros last year and 20 in 2000. But Ward, who has no home runs this season, couldn't seem to find his groove.

Ward had tendinitis in his right wrist and was activated from the disabled list June 17. Ward can't refuse his option because he doesn't have five years of major-league service. He has three days to report to Las Vegas.

"He was disappointed and I think you'd understand why," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "It's been a few years (1999) since he was in the minor leagues. The reality is, in order for him to get his bat going, he's got to get a number of at-bats in a row."

Reliever Steve Colyer was optioned to Las Vegas and the Dodgers purchased the contract of Rodney Myers. The Dodgers recalled Bubba Crosby from Las Vegas, who made his major-league debut earlier this year.

"(Colyer) was strictly an organizational move," Evans said. "He was the 12th pitcher and for me, one of the crown jewels in the organization. He was used once every week or two weeks. He'll be a significant part of our bullpen for years to come."

The 51s return to Cashman Field Friday night to open a series against the Albuquerque Iostopes.

When asked if he thought he'd be back next month, Hundley said: "The way I feel today, I feel I could play tonight.

"But that's the catch. That's where the false hope is. I feel great but you can't overdo it. That's a gray area."